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Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics
M. Bryk, R.S.Chapkin,
J. Cruz-Reyes, S.Datta, P. F. Fitzpatrick, E. A. Funkhouser,
D. P.Giedroc, L. A. Guarino, J. M. Gunn, E. D. Harris, A. K.
H. Holzenburg, M. A. O. Höök, J. C. Hu*, A. E. Johnson,
C. C. Kao, G. M. Kapler, M. P. Kladde, G. R. Kunkel, P. A.
Lindahl, A. C. LiWang, P. J. LiWang, M. D. Manson, W.McKeehan,
E. F. Meyer, J. E.Mullet, J. Nagyvary, C. N. Pace, V. M. Panin,
W. D. Park, D. O.Peterson, D. W. Pettigrew, M. Polymenis, F.
M.Raushel, G. D. Reinhart (Head), J. C. Sacchettini, S.H.Safe,
J. M. Scholtz, A. I. Scott, D. E. Shippen, M. D. Summers, S.
Sze, J. W. Tsai, R.D. Wells, J. R. Wild, R. F. Young
* Graduate Advisor
The Department of Biochemistry and
Biophysics offers programs of study and research leading to
the MS and PhD degrees in biochemistry and to the MS degree
in biophysics. These programs are designed to provide the background
for a career in independent research; in addition, graduate
students gain experience in teaching, inasmuch as each is required
to serve as a teaching assistant during his or her graduate
work. A non-thesis option for the MS degree is available to
students not intending to enter a research career.
Ongoing research activities involve
plants, animals and microorganisms and span the broad fields
of molecular biology, protein and nucleic acid structure, virology,
enzymology, biophysical chemistry and biochemical nutrition.
The department occupies a modern research building that is
well equipped to conduct biochemical research. Students entering
graduate work in biochemistry or biophysics are required to
have adequate preparation in chemistry, mathematics, physics
and molecular biology. The program leading to the PhD degree
is designed for extensive involvement in research. The resulting
dissertation must demonstrate a superior knowledge and understanding
of the subject area. In addition, the student must demonstrate
a broad and commanding knowledge of general biochemistry. There
is no language requirement. There is, however, an English requirement
for all students, including those seeking the MS degree. The
department encourages interdisciplinary research projects with
other departments. Detailed information about the graduate
program may be obtained from the Biochemistry Graduate Programs
Office, which can be reached by mail, by email at biobiograd@tamu.edu
or by telephone at 1-800-4-TAMBIO. Information can also be
obtained from the website at biochemistry.tamu.edu.
Biochemistry
(BICH)
601. Fundamentals of Biochemistry
I. (3-0). Credit 3.
Basic biochemical concepts pertaining
to the structure of the major biomolecules (proteins, carbohydrates,
lipids and nucleic acids); the relationship of structure
to function of these molecules; structure and action of enzymes;
principles of bioenergetics. Prerequisite: One year of organic
chemistry.
602. Fundamentals of Biochemistry
II. (3-0). Credit 3.
Major metabolic pathways for
carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, proteins and nucleic
acids, emphasizing oxidative processes and the biosynthesis
of RNA, DNA and protein; regulation of cellular metabolism.
Prerequisite: BICH 601.
603. General Biochemistry
I. (3-0). Credit 3.
The biochemical properties of
macromolecules found in living matter; proteins, enzymes
and nucleic acids. Prerequisites: BICH 410 or 601; CHEM 228
and 323.
605. Methods of Biochemical
Analysis. (3-0). Credit 3.
Experimental techniques important
in biochemistry including methodologies for data analysis.
Prerequisite: Graduate classification in biochemistry or
approval of instructor.
608. Critical Analysis of
the Biochemical Literature. (2-0). Credit 2.
Reading and presentation of
original articles in biochemistry and related fields to enhance
understanding of experimental logic and scientific communication.
Prerequisite: Graduate classification in biochemistry or
approval of instructor.
609. Preparation of a Biochemical
Research Proposal. (2-0). Credit 2.
Development and presentation
of hypotheses, specific aims, significance and experimental
approaches for a biochemical research proposal. Prerequisite:
Graduate classification in biochemistry.
624. Enzymes, Proteins and
Nucleic Acids. (3-0). Credit 3.
Chemical and physical properties
of enzymes, proteins and nucleic acids; thermodynamics, kinetics
and mechanisms of enzyme-catalyzed reactions and protein-nucleic
acid interactions. Prerequisites: BICH 603; CHEM 324.
625. Nucleic Acid--Protein
Interactions. (1-0). Credit 1.
Mechanisms of nucleic acid-protein
interactions involved in fundamental biochemical processes
such as DNA replication and rearrangement, transposition,
transcription, RNA splicing and translation; original research
articles presented focusing on experimental approaches, interpretation
of results and overall significance. Course may be taken
8 times for credit. Prerequisites: BICH 431 or GENE 431 or
equivalent; approval of instructor. Cross-listed with MBCH
625.
631. Biochemical Genetics.
(3-0). Credit 3.
Genetic control of cellular
metabolism; mechanism of gene action; gene-enzyme relationships;
regulation of gene expression; structure and organization
of genomes; biochemical manipulation and characterization
of genetic molecules. Prerequisites: BICH 431 or GENE 431;
BICH 603. Cross-listed with GENE 631.
654. Structural Biochemistry.
(3-0). Credit 3.
Basic physics of X-ray diffraction,
crystal structure methods, introduction to structural data
bases, molecular geometry and molecular modeling. Prerequisite:
Approval of instructor.
662. Eukaryotic Transcription.
(1-0). Credit 1.
Intensive short course in molecular
mechanisms of eukaryotic transcription, and its regulation.
Prerequisite: BICH 631 or GENE 631 or approval of instructor.
Cross-listed with GENE 662.
671. Macromolecular Folding
and Design. (1-0). Credit 1.
Oral presentations and discussions
in the general area of biomolecular structure, folding, function
and design. May be taken 12 times. Prerequisite: Approval
of instructor. Cross-listed with CHEM 671 and MBCH 671.
672. Biological Membranes.
(1-0). Credit 1.
Seminar-based course examining
recent discoveries in the structure, function and assembly
of biological membranes; oral presentation by students on
current literature in molecular biology and biochemistry.
Prerequisite: Approval of instructor. Cross-listed with MBCH
672.
673. Gene Expression. (1-0).
Credit 1.
Oral presentations and discussions
related to the biochemistry and molecular biology of gene
expression in animal, plant and microbial systems. May be
repeated for credit up to 12 times. To be taken on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory
basis. Prerequisite: Graduate classification in biochemistry
or genetics or approval of instructor. Cross-listed with
GENE 673.
674. Protein Folding and
Stability. (1-0). Credit 1.
Selected
topics from recent literature in the general areas of protein
folding, structure, and stability. Prerequisite: Approval
of instructor. Cross-listed with MBCH 674.
681. Seminar. Credit 1 each
semester.
Original articles in biochemistry
and related fields designed to broaden understanding of problems
in the field and to stimulate research.
685. Directed Studies. Credit
1 or more each semester.
Biochemical laboratory procedures;
preparations and instrumentation; problems assigned according
to experience, interests and needs of individual student.
Prerequisite: Approval of instructor.
689. Special Topics in...
Credit 1 to 4.
Selected topics in an identified
area of biochemistry. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite:
Approval of instructor.
690. Theory of Biochemical
Research. (2-0). Credit 2.
State-of-the-art examination
of modern trends in various subfields of modern biochemistry
concentrating on the design of experiments, evaluation of
research results and discussion of the current literature.
May be repeated for credit.
691. Research. Credit 1
or more each semester.
Research for thesis or dissertation.
Laboratory facilities available for original investigations
in various phases of biochemistry. Prerequisite: Approval
of major advisor.
697. Methods in Teaching
Biochemistry Laboratory. (1-0). Credit 1.
Theory and practical aspects
of teaching Biochemistry labs, with emphasis on content,
grading, instructional methods and practical aspects of Biochemistry
labs. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Graduate
classification in biochemistry.
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